Bottle carrier



Nov. 27, 1945. w ssE 2,390,029

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Dec. 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ALBERT WES$E LMAN 'Nov. 27, I945. w ss 2,390,02@

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Dec. 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z2 K" has 23 INVENTOR. ALBERT WESSELMAN 1 TT N Nov. 27, 1945. A. WESSELMAN BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Dec. 30, 1942 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ALBERT WESSELMAN Nov. 27, 1945. A, W S LMAN 2,390,020

BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Dec. 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

2)] VE N TOR. ALBERT WESSELMAN Patented Nov. 27, 1945 no'r'rm CARRIER Albert Welselman, Cincinnati, Ohio Application December so, 1942, Serial No. 410,014

30laims.

This invention relates to composite packages of merchandise wherein the merchandise or vendible commodity or product is contained in several separate or independent primary receptacles or holders such as bottles, and a plurality of such primary holders are associated or assembled in a group in a secondary container or carrier intended to thereby provide composite units. each unit comprising several primary holders and a secondary container that may be readily assembled, carried, stacked, handled and merchandised, and wherein the peculiarities of form or shape, dimension and specification of the primary holders and secondary containers are utilized to the fullest and best advantage, to attain various desirable objectives that will be subsequently explained herein.

This invention relates to secondary containers, as previously explained, and which are of the category of devices of the general character shown in my Patents No. 2,171,615 and No. 2,276,129, and my copending patent applications, Serial No. 193,723, filed March 3, 1938; Serial No. 200,952, filed April 8, 1938; and Serial No. 210,212, filed May 26, 1938, and this application is a continuation in part of some of said applications and patents.

An object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the type previously referred to herein as a secondary container; that may be economically fabricated, stored and shipped, and for the use of which a minimum of time and labor is required for filling and for placing the container in position or condition for filling same with primary receptacles, for example, bottles.

Another object is to provide a carrier of the class deter. ed, wherein the several primary receptacles or bottles are spaced or separated, one from the other, whereby to avoid abrading and chipping thereof, while in the carrier.

Another object is to provide a device of the class described, wherein the several relatively movable parts thereof, are automatically moved incident to opening up or setting up of the carrier and incident to filling or loading of the carrier, so that such parts are positioned to provide separate pockets each having partition members which space theindividual bottles and which prevent the bottles from falling out of or through the otherwise open ends of the carrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a factory completed or assembled carrier of the class described, which may be collapsed in a fiat form, in which such carriers can be stored and shipped and during which operations a minimum of space is required for such carriers.

Another object is to provide a device of the class described, wherein there is required a minimum of labor in manufacture and in initial use thereof.

Another object is to provide a relative strong and sturdy carrier, the structural parts of which are so related, that those parts will support and reinforce one another, to the end that relatively cheap sheet material, such as various types or kinds of cardboard, may be satisfactorily employed in the production of carriers.

Another object is to so relate various structural parts of the carrier, that such parts and the bottles when assembled therein, cooperate with each other for firmly gripping and holding the bottles against chattering and at the same time, sustain such parts of the sheet material that were weakened incident to the provision or creation of bottle receiving, spacing and holding features of the carrier.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fully distended or set up carrier embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view, partly distended, of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an extended sheet material blank, as fabricated preparatory to producing a device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1, along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a distended or set up carrier embodying a modification of the inv vention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank used for producing a. device as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show variant forms of construction that may be provided at the apex of the carrier, whereby to provide variable ply handle members making possible conservation of sheet material, extra strength in the handle element and other variations that may be indicated by reason of the nature orinherent properties of the sheet material, the weight of the articles to be loaded in the carrier, the resistance to lateral or end pressure or strain that may be imposed on the carrier, etc.

In connection with the various features of the invention, it is to be understood that in so far as any one or more of the features maybe illustrated and explained in any one of the forms of the invention, same is to be understood as being also applicable to other forms thereof. For example, in Fig. 1. it will be observed that the finished carrier is formed of a single, elongated piece of sheet material having various parts thereof scored, folded and bent in various fashions. A separate ply of sheet material may be used to provide a medial partition member extending transversely of the device. In that regard it is to be understood also, that the use of a single or plural number of plies of sheet material projecting upwardly and forming the handle member is contemplated and that use of such variant forms is dependentand adjacent to the apex, a few variant forms of which are shown in Figs. 5, 8 and 10, or the structures may conform with the disclosures in my previously referred to patents and patent applications. Also, it is to be understod that all or some of the material displaced for providing the various bottle receiving and hand hold openings may in some instances be completely eliminated or detached from the carrier whereas in other instances only portions thereof may be eliminated. For example,as shown in Fig. 3, some material has been retained and some has been eliminated. In other forms all such displaced material may be retained and put to various uses. It is also to be understood that various connections at the apex of the carrier may be resorted to whereby to permit utilization of detachable wire' handles and'the like, in substantial conformity with disclosures in various of my previously referred to patent applications.

In Fig. l, a continuous or elongated piece of sheet material of a generally rectangular configuration conforming with the disclosure in Fig. 3 has been folded upon itself, and various portions thereof have been connected together whereby to produce a completed bottle carrier as disclosed. The blank of sheet material as illustrated in Fig. 3 is identified by the reference character II.

The elongated blank is scored and cut'at various places'as indicated, whereby to set oil a central partition l2, a handle panel l3, a cover or top panel 14, a side wall or panel [5, a pair of bottom sections or panels I3 and I1, a second side panel ID, a second cover or top panel l3 and an attachment flap 20. The identical parts are similarly indicatedln Fig. 1.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be observed that a portion of the partition panel l2 projects through and above the apex 2| of the carrier. Near the lower end of the partition l2 there are provided a pair of apertures or openings 22 and 23. These openings, 22 and 23, are provided at such positions and are of such size that there may be connected through them, end strap members such as 24 and 25 and which end strap members are formed from opposed portions of the side walls or panels l3 and IS. A pair of such manufacturing reasons because of which it is preferable to permit the flap 23 to remain attached to the adjoining material. Also, by permitting the flap to remain so attached, the flap may be turned along the score line 3| whereby to transversely enlarge the hand contact area indicated at,32 .so as to make same more comfortable as a handle for carrying the article. In Fig. 1, the said flap is illustrated as being turned to the right so as to extend upwardly immediately adjacent the contiguous portion of the partition member I2. If desired, the flap 23 may be turned in the opposite direction whereby to project at the left hand side of the hand hold opening 32 and whereby'to extend over the raw edge formed at 33 incident to providing a similar hand hold opening in the handle panel i3, and from which the material indicated at 34 may be displaced. The material indicated at 34 may be either wholly detached or it may likewise be permitted to have attachment along a scored line similar to the scored line 3|.

The partition panel I2 is integral with but is set oil from the handle panel i3 by means of a weakened or scored transverse line indicated at 35. Such lines indicated as 35 throughout the various drawings indicate scored lines as distinguished from out lines, a, specimen of the latter being indicated at 30.

The handle panel I3 is connected with the top or cover panel l4 along a transverse score line 38. The material originally within the limits of the top panel l4 has been out along the lines 31 and 38 and has been scored along the lines 39, 40

, and 4|. The material that was disposed between end straps is provided at each of the transverse ends of the carrier, from opposed side walls of the carrier, whereby to provide means at each of the open ends of the carrierfor preventing bottles or other similar articles from slipping laterally through and from the carrier. The end strap members constituting the cooperating pair thereof and disposed at the far end of the dis closure in Fig. 1, are indicated at 26 and 21 of Fig. 3. A suitable attachment means, for ex- I ample a flat wire staple, such as is indicated at 28, may be employed for joining the detached or or detached endsof straps'23 and 21.

Reverting to the partition section I2, .theupv severed ends'of the straps 24 and 23 and the free the out line 33 and the portion of the line 3! disposed between said cut line 38 and the score line 38, has been eliminated or removed in order to permit the remainder of the material formed within thelimits of said line 31, to be turned inwardly and downwardly along the scored line 4| whereby to provide partition members disposed substantially parallel with one another and intermediate the partition member i2 and the side walls It and I3, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be observed that this flap material 42 that has just been referred to, comprises a central flap member 43 and a pair of end flap members 44 and 45. The end flap members 44 and 46 are set off from theintermediate or central flap portion 43 by score lines 33 and 40 whereby .to define the lines of relative fold of those various members upon one another and in relation to other parts of the carrier. It will be noted that the sever ing line 31 continues along the upper edge of the area within which the flap 42 was originally disposed and that such line of severance continues along the lateral edges of the flap 42 and along .the lower edges of the side or end flap members 44 and 45, terminating at the score line 4|, whereby the central panel 43 of the flap 42 is connected to the side panel 15.

The over-all dimensions of the opening proaaeopao 3 to permit insertion downwardly through the top member I4, of bottles to be carried in the con tainer. The opening must be large enough to permit ready insertion and removal of the bottles so that the bottles may be brought to rest upon theinner face of the bottom comprising panels i8 and II, as well as to permit ready removal of the bottles from the carrier. By reason of the provision of the elongated opening indicated generally at 4| in Fig. 1-, incident to providing the described structure, the lateral portion of panels along the median portion thereof whereby to attain a gripping or holding eiiect for not only restraining the bottles but also for minimizing any chattering of the bottles in any instances where any contact between bottles might be attained. ,The sagging function related is in a measure transmitted to the bottles whereby the bottles sag toward each other and are thus held in position as well as caused to impinge upon the the top or cover member is developed into a pair of comparatively narrow connecting members or straps 49 and 50, extending between the side wall or partition I! and the handle panel II. By

a reason of the nature of the material from which carriers of this type are produced, such strap members 49 and 50 constitute relatively weak members upon which some of the task of supporting the load of the carrier falls when the loaded carrier is suspended from the handle. It will be observed that the elongated opening 48 constitutes a single opening extending across the greater portion of the width of the top panel l4 and of the carrier.

The top panel I4 is set off from the side wall or panel by scored lines 5i and 52 disposed at the lower extremities of the straps 49 and 50 and which may be aligned with one another and with the score line 41. A slight variation in the alignment of the score line 4| with the score lines 5i and 52 is immaterial.

The side wall I5 is provided with the straps 24 and 28 previously referred to. The straps are cut or severed from the adjoining material along continuous lines 53 and 54 and have integral and hinged connection along scored lines 55 and 58 to the contiguous side wall material adjacent to or in proximity to the lateral edges of the side walls. The straps at the same end of the carrier are integrated either by direct connection thereof as shown in Fig. 4 or by the intermediation of the strap segments I53 and I83 as shown in Fig. 5. It will be observed that in the set up or bottle holding position of the carrier, the hinged connections of the straps are disposed in substantially vertical planes, thereby exposing the larger vertical faces of the straps to the bottles for providing an extended contact surface for supporting and sustaining the bottles against lateral movement through the otherwise open ends of the carrier. Such positioning of the straps assists in compact, minimum overall width carrier structure for attainment of the desired objective.

The side wall I5 is set off from the bottom panel it along .line 51. Along the line 51 a portion of the material is scored as indicated at 58 and is cut in other portions as indicated at 59. This combination score andcut arrangement is used in order to facilitate flexing or bending along the line 51, incident to setting up the carbon preparatory to loading thereof with bottles. The slit or cut sections 59 also serve to relieve pressure upon the side walls, and which sometimes results from slight manufacturing variations both in bottle carriers and in bottle dimensions. It is desired that a snug fit beprovlded between the side walls of the carrier and the bottles to be carried therein, and this relieving feature is particularly useful in that connection. The bottom or base of the carrier comprises two identical panels l5 and II which are set off from one another by a medial score line 50. This medial score line permits a slight sagging or bending of the bottom center partition l2. In this manner, some of the weight of the load of the loaded carrier is taken up by the partition through the apex to the handle of the carrier. Thus the strain upon the relatively narrow straps 48 and 50 is relieved to some extent.

In the foregoing explanation, the various parts of the device were explained in the order in which same occur, beginning at the top of the disclosure in Fig. 3. In continuing downwardly along Fig. 3 beyond the median score line 60, the previous explanation given to the various parts of the device constituting the bottom or base, the side wall and top or cover partition, applies equally to those portions of the device lying between the median score line 60 and the score line 6i, which sets ofl the attachment flap or strip 20 from the top member or panel l9.

By reference to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the attachment fiap or strip 20 is comparable to a section of the handle panel 13 and that said strip 20 is mad suiiiciently large to permit attachment thereof by means of staples such as are indicated at 28, or by means of gluing or any other attachment means throughout substantially the width of the carrier.

At the time carriers such as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are fabricated, they are in substantially fiat form as indicated in Fig. 2. At such time, the large flap 42 as well as the various smaller flaps and straps indicated at 29 and 24 to 21 inclusive, are disposed within the recesses or openings that were formed in the carrier blank in order to set off those flaps and straps. Also, at that time the partition i2 has its lower end 62 spaced a distance from the median score line 60 in the base, as shown in Fig. 2. During such time that the parts are so related, the straps 24 and 25 are connected together through the large opening 23 in the partition and those straps lie near the lower edge 63 of that opening. In like manner, straps 26 and 21 have their free ends connected and they lie adjacent the lower edge 64 of the opening 22.

Incident to extending the carrier from the collapsed position shown in Fig. 2, to the form or position shown in Fig. l, the partition I2 moves relative to the straps 24 to 21 inclusive, because of the lateral expansion of the carrier so that by the time the side walls of the carrier are fully distended, the lower end 62 of the partition sub stantially rests upon the bottom of the carrier at substantially the median line 60 therein. By the time the partition has moved as indicated, the straps such as 24 and 25, have moved relative to th partition l2 so that in the set up or fully distended carton, those straps are disposed at approximately the upper edge 65 of the opening 53. Incident to the lateral distending or spreading of the side walls of th carrier, the ends of the straps 24 and 25 that are connected ,together are automatically moved centerward.

The plane of contact of the adjacent faces of the straps 24 and 25 is substantially aligned with the partition l2. A slight pocket is formed incident to the divergence of the straps 24 and 25 from their place of connection with one another and that pocket receives the adjacent edge of the wall 86 of'the aperture or opening 23. This serves to center the lower portion of the partition and by reason of the centering and contactin: thereof upon and in the referred to pocket at the Junction of the straps 24 and 25, the straps and partition cooperate in sustaining and supporting one another. The partition serves also to limit the extent to which the straps may move outwardly toward the open end of the carrier.

After the carrier has been distended, the large flaps 4,0 are turned outwardly in relation to the interior of the carrier in order to permit insertion of two bottles into the carrier through the large opening 48. The two bottles so inserted at each side of the partition I2 are then moved to their limits laterally of the carrier so as to dispose a bottle adjacent each of the straps 24 to 21 inclusive, thereby leaving a space between the two bottles disposed on a common side of the partition I2. The third bottle for each of said pockets is then pressed against the flap 42 causing the flap to pass through the opening 48 and assume the position of such flap as shown in Fig. 1. Coincident to that turning movement of the flap, the lateral ends 44 and 45 thereof are brought into engagement with the bottles already placed in the carrier and disposed at the opposite ends thereof, consequently the end flap portions 44 and 45 are turned approximately to right angle position as shown in Fig. 1, and serve as spacers or partition members between the bottles in each row of three bottles disposed on opposite sides of the partition I2.

The composite package comprising a carrier and two rows of three bottles, each of which rows is disposed on opposite sides of the partition I2, provides an arrangement wherein each of the bottles is shielded or guarded from each of the other bottles in the carrier. The various parti-' tion members provided by the flaps 42 and their lateral extensions 44 and 45, space the bottles in one row from one another transversely of the carrier while the central flap I2,.extending between the two rows of three bottles each, provides a buffer or protector between the bottles in one row as against the bottles in the adjacent row. Particularly should it be observed that by reason of the disposition of the lower end of the partition I2 at or immediately above the median score lin 60 in the carrier, the bottom edges or bases of the bottles are spaced so as to prevent sanding or chipping that would otherwise occur if the bases of those bottles should contact one another and should vibrate in relation to one another incident either to transportation of loaded bottle carriers in trucks or wagons, or while being transported by the purchaser by way of the handle member associated therewith. It will also be noted that any sagging of the bottles toward each other incident to the function of the median score line 60, as previously explained, serves to cushion the grip of the bottles in that the bottles contact opposite sides of the lower portion of the partition I2. Thus the benefit of the sagging of the bottles and the ensuing gripping action incident to sagging of the bottles is attained, but the central partition I2, by being interposed between the lower extremities of the bottles, prevents chipping or sanding of the bottles by reason of their cooperative gripping and positioning coaction incident to sagging as explained.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a structure wherein approximately the same coaction of parts and the same result is attained as is accomplished by the structure disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3. In explaining the modification shown in' Figs. 5 and 6, the explanation will be limited only to those features or elements which differ from the parts previously explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 3.

In Fig. 6 the central partition member I 20 is provided with a score line I at approximately the lower edge of the handle grip flap I22. The partition I20 is set off from the handle panel I30 as indicated at I3I by an arrangement such that upon turning the partition I20 to an arc of approximately 180", the partition will be detached from the handle p'anel I30. This is accomplished by providing a plurality of cuts or slits I32 tra'nsversely of the blank, and sufllcient uncut material is left between the various slits I32, as will retain the unity thereof in ordinary handling of the blank but which connecting portions of material will be wholly inadequate to withstand a turning action as indicated. Arrangements or structures of the character indicated are commonly used in the carton industry and in explaining the indicated feature, it is to be understood that it is intended that the function to be attained will be accomplished in accordanceturned laterally as shown in Fig. 8, so that bottle carriers may be stacked without interference of the handle members, for example, as shown in my Patent No. 2,171,615. In order to permit such stacking arrangement, a similar score line I33 is provided adjacent the hand hold opening provided at I34.

The material defined within the slits I35 and I36 and therewith registering score lines I31 and I38 is utilized to provide flaps of the same character as explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 3. It will be noted, however, that no part of the material lying on opposite sides of "the line of cut I 38 is removed. The material lying intermediate the line of cut I39 and the score line I3! is turned inwardly and downwardly along the carrier for preventing lateral displacement of the bottles through the open ends of the carrier. In the particular form of invention now being described, these straps embody portions of the central partition I20 and portions of the side or wall members I50 and I80. In this form of the invention it is necessary to rather carefully determinethe relative movements of the partition member I20 and the side walls I50 and I so that the angularity of connections of the strap members with the partition and side wall members will permit such relative movements of the indicated parts without rupturingthe straps or their connections to the contiguous material.

These angular relationships will'necessarily vary in different devices, contingent upon the diameters of the bottles to be accommodated, the relative movements of partition and side wall members in view of the heighth of the bottles and the carrier elements and the positions at which the straps are disposed vertically of the carrier. There is no special formula that can be prescribed although little calculation is required to determine the particular places at which score lines and lines of severance shall be laid out upon the blank in order to accomplish the desired coaction of the parts.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that carriers of the type herein considered are ordinarily manufactured under conditions such that the blank is folded and in a collapsed form at the time that the various staples are applied for connecting the strap ends and for joining the various parts at the apex of the carrier. Consequently, in order to produce a device of the character shown in Fig. 5, it is advisable for expeditious fabrication of such device, to make available to the staple applying machines, the ends of straps disposed in different planes. Consequently, it is advisable to provide enlarged openings such as are indicated at I BI and IBI. It will be noted that the straps such as I82 and fabricated from the side wall I88, have connection with the side wall along the upper side edge of the opening I8I, whereas the corresponding strap I52 formed from the side wall I58, has connection with the'slde wall I88 along the lower side edge of the opening III.. The material cut from the openings II and IN, and which is not required for providing or creation of the straps I52 and I82, is necessarily removed prior to the connecting of the straps I82 and I82 with their respective cooperating straps I88 and I83 formed from the central partition I28.

The final creation, whether of the specific form shown in Fig. 1 or in Fig. 5, has the same advantages. The median score line I88 in the base substantially registers with the partition I28. The central partition I28 serves to transmit the load imposed thereon occasioned by impinging of the bottles when sagging under their own weight by reason of the functioning of the median score line. The fact that the openings such as I5I and I8I in the side walls may be larger than the openings when using the form shown in Fig 1, does not impair the over-all strength of .the carrier.

As shown in Fig. 9, the central partition I2 is flanked by the handle extension ll of side wall It and a similar handle extension 2I8 of the side wall I8. In this type of. construction the central partition includes a handle forming extension I2, as shown in Fig. l. The inturned handle flaps 28, corresponding to similar flaps in other figures, are shown as comprising two plies oi the sheet material. Whether or not there are provided one, two or three plies of such inturned' flap members 28 depends merely upon choice.

tachment flaps as indicated at 2 and 2I8. and which are Joined or amxed to the central partition l2 by a suitable staple 28.

What is claimed in:

1. A carrier comprising an extended cardboard sheet having a plurality of transverse fold or score lines therein for setting same off into a pair of base panels separated by a median score line and a pair of side wall panels hinged along opposite side edges of the base, said side walls extending and converging upwardly and having connection together at their apex for providing an endless body member, a handle at said apex, said side walls having transversely extending openings through which the bottom end of bottles may be inserted for setting rows of bottles in upright position on the base panels, with the upper portions of the bottles extending through said openings, a partition disposed above and in substantial alignment with said median score line, and transverse straps formed from and extending between the side walls, at the end thereof and having cooperative engagement with the partition and providing means at the ends of the carrier for restraining the lower portions of the bottles from separation from the carrier, said partition having its upper end connected to the apex of the carrier and having anenlarged opening at each of its ends, adjacent the outer edges thereof and through which openings said transverse straps extend, the straps being adapted to contact the walls of said openings for sustaining the partition and being in turn sustained by contact upon said partition.

2. A carrier comprising a continuous sheetmaterlal body member having transverse score lines'for providing a base having a median score line, and upwardly converging side walls, a central partition member aligned with said median score line and having an opening formed therein at each of the opposed ends thereof, and strap members carried by said side walls and having connection with other similar straps for providing pairs of conjoined straps, each pair-of such conjoined straps extending through one 0! the openings in the central partition, said straps providing abutments between the side walls and the partition, at the open ends of the carrier, the side walls having bottle receiving openings in their upper portions to permit insertion of bottles, bottom ends foremost, into the spaces between the straps disposed at the open ends of the carrier.

3. A carrier comprising a continuous sheet material body member having transverse score lines for providing a base having a median score has, and upwardly converging side walls, a central partition member aligned with said median score line and having an opening formed therein at each or the opposed ends thereoi, and strap members carried by said side walls and having cunnectlon with other similar straps for providing pairs of conJoined straps, each pair or sucn colijolned strapsextencung through one or the open-,

ings in the central partition, said straps providing abutments between the side walls and the partition, at the open ends or the carrier, the side walls having bottle receiving openings in their upper portions to permit insertion or bottles, bottom ends foremost, into the spaces between the straps disposed at the open ends 01 the carrier,

the sheet material displaced to provide the bottle receiving openings 'in thevside walls being turned inwardly to provide partition members between bottles disposed on the same side of the median score line in the base.

ALBERT WESSELMAN. 

